Departure and Arrival
A pilot departed Salem, Oregon, in the early morning hours, bound for Gig Harbor, Washington. Upon reaching the destination area, the pilot established radio contact with Seattle Approach Control and reported an inability to visually acquire the airport.
ATC Vectors and Radar Data
Controllers provided vectors to assist the pilot. Radar data obtained during the investigation indicated the aircraft was in a consistent descent, with the lowest recorded altitude reading of 300 feet above mean sea level (MSL). The last radar target showed the aircraft within 1,000 feet of a high-voltage transmission line, which was situated at 600 feet MSL.
Weather Conditions
Weather near the accident site was described as foggy.
Pilot Qualifications
The pilot was not instrument-rated.